Since 2005, the China Awards have told stories of commitment, innovation and collaboration between Italy and China. The 20th edition, celebrated yesterday evening at the Museum of Science and Technology in Milan, rewarded thirty protagonists who have been able to transform challenges into opportunities, strengthening relations and building concrete and lasting bridges between the two countries.
THE EVENING_ The China Awards ceremony, organised by the Italy China Council Foundation - ICCF and MF-Milano Finanza, as per tradition was divided into two parts: the awarding of the plaques followed by a charity dinner attended by a large audience of entrepreneurs, experts and professionals. Among the protagonists of the evening was the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Milan, Liu Kan,former Minister John Triathe ICCF President Mario Boselli,the Publisher and CEO of Class Editori Paolo Panerai e Cheng Xuan, General Manager ICBC Milan and Vice President ICCF.
"Despite the duality of a country today torn between extraordinary projects and a still ongoing crisis, China is ready to restart with new momentum, becoming a strategic platform for our activities in Asia – ha detto Mario Boselli, President Italy China Council Foundation-ICCF -. The China Awards valorise those who, Italian or Chinese, work every day to strengthen economic relations between our countries, with industriousness, enterprise and creativity. In these 20 years we have celebrated not only the achievements of the award-winners, but also the strength of connections, vision and commitment. And at the same time we look forward, with enthusiasm and ambition, to the next chapters of collaboration between our countries".
"Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the China Awards, the initiative confirms its role as an indispensable platform for economic dialogue between Italy and China', stated Paolo Panerai, Publisher and CEO of Class Editori. "The event, promoted by Class Editori together with what used to be the Italy China Foundation - now the Italy China Council Foundation - has established itself as a unique and strategic moment in relations between the two countries. Acknowledging Italian and Chinese companies that successfully operate in their respective markets means supporting growth and consolidating a relationship of cooperation and trust between our peoples, in a year that not only celebrates an important anniversary, but also opens a new phase, projected towards the next twenty years of exchanges and shared development".
AWARD-WINNERS_ Thirty in all were the personalities and companies honoured who, over the past year, have distinguished themselves for their commitment, strategic vision and ability to build solid and innovative partnerships between the two countries, contributing in an exemplary manner to bilateral exchange and cooperation.
Prizes were awarded in seven categories, plus special prizes: CAPITAL ELITE (Avv. Giovanni Pisacane - Founder & Managing Partner GWA Asia, Comau, Fidenza Village part of The Bicester Collection, Otto Otto Baijiu / CAPITAL ELITE, HONG KONG SAR Special Award - Sustainability Mention Sanlorenzo), CREATORS OF VALUE (Chanteclair, Cube Labs, Retex China, Shanghai Promotion Center for City of Design), EXCELLENCE ITALY (Channels, Municipality of Faenza, NExT), GREEN ROAD (Italmatch Chemicals, LU-VE Group, Pacific Garment Group, Piovan), TOP INVESTORS (China Mobile International Italy, Flamma, Goglio, Grimaldi Group), VIA DELLA SETA (Amplifon, Consea Group, Fondazione Idis-Città della Scienza, Logwin Air + Ocean Italy, Serravalle Designer Outlet).
Five the GOLDEN LIONS awarded in the 2025 edition, which for the first time also saw the presentation of a special Golden Lion Career Award in memory of the King of Italian fashion, Giorgio Armani. For their role as bridges between Italy and China, the Golden Lion was awarded to Avvocato Carlo Diego D'AndreaManaging Partner D'Andrea & Partners Legal Counsel, the influencer Liang Shuang known as Lizsupermais and the award-winning violinist Simon Zhu. The Golden Lion named after Filippo Nicosia, the Italian diplomat known for his significant contribution to relations between Italy and China who died prematurely in 2020, was awarded to Avvocato Francesco Brugnatelli, Name Partner of Studio Ichino-Brugnatelli.
THE OTHER PROTAGONISTS_ The China Awards 2025 charity dinner was organised in support of OVCI - Our Family ETS, an association that has been active for over forty years in promoting the rights, inclusion and development of people with disabilities, and in particular supporting their projects in China, one of the countries where OVCI works with commitment and continuity. The evening was accompanied by two musical moments, the performance of the violinist Simon Zhuwinner of the Paganini Prize 2023 and a fresh Leone d'Oro, and the performance of opera singer Wang Bei Beiaccompanied by the composer Andrea Granitzio.
The event was realised thanks to the contribution of the main partners Bracco e Desa Grouptogether with partners Adamas Biotech, Alix International, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Brussels, McArthurGlen Designer Outlets, Moutai, SEA Airports Milan e Zhonghua Art and Culture. Technical support by The Botolo.
Winners list 2025
(click here to download presentations)
CAPITAL ELITE
- Lawyer Giovanni Pisacane - Founder & Managing Partner GWA Asia
- Comau
- Fidenza Village part of The Bicester Collection
- Otto Baijiu
CAPITAL ELITE, HONG KONG SAR Special Award - Sustainability Mention
- Sanlorenzo
CREATORS OF VALUE
- Chanteclair
- Cube Labs
- Retex China
- Shanghai Promotion Centre for City of Design
EXCELLENCE ITALY
- Channels
- Municipality of Faenza
- NExT
GREEN ROAD
- Italmatch Chemicals
- LU-VE Group
- Pacific Garment Group
- Piovan
GOLDEN LION
- Giorgio Armani - Lifetime Achievement Award
- Carlo Diego D'Andrea - Managing Partner D'Andrea & Partners Legal Counsel
- Liang Shuang (Lizsupermais)
- Simon Zhu
GOLDEN LION - FILIPPO NICOSIA AWARD
- Lawyer Francesco Brugnatelli - Name Partner of Studio Ichino-Brugnatelli
TOP INVESTORS
- China Mobile International Italy
- Flamma
- Goglio
- Grimaldi Group
VIA DELLA SETA
- Amplifon
- Consea Group
- Idis-Città della Scienza Foundation
- Logwin Air + Ocean Italy
- Serravalle Designer Outlet
